LayarHijau – Stephen Chow’s latest film, Kung Fu Soccer, officially hit theaters in China on July 11 and got off to an impressive start. Less than three hours after its premiere, the film had already surpassed 100 million yuan (around $14 million) at the box office.
Spoiler warning: This article discusses the post-credits scene in Kung Fu Soccer.
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The film’s box office performance is not the only thing drawing attention. The post-credits scene in Kung Fu Soccer has also sparked discussion among viewers. The scene features three actors connected to Shaolin Soccer: Stephen Chow, Chan Kwok Kwan, and Lam Tze Chung. It has also been interpreted by some viewers as a possible easter egg honoring the late Ng Man Tat, Chow’s legendary longtime screen partner.
After a seven-year hiatus from directing, Stephen Chow has returned with Kung Fu Soccer, which features an ensemble cast including Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Lay Zhang. The film also features special appearances by Carina Lau and Takeru Satoh.
In the post-credits scene, Stephen Chow appears alongside Chan Kwok Kwan and Lam Tze Chung. The three are seen sitting together in the audience.
Chan Kwok Kwan reprises his Shaolin Soccer character, the Fourth Senior Disciple and the goalkeeper of the Shaolin team. Lam Tze Chung returns as the Sixth Junior Disciple. Stephen Chow, meanwhile, plays the Fifth Senior Disciple, also known as Sing, the central character he played in Shaolin Soccer. The three then become involved in a conversation about the match, with Chow’s character asking his junior disciple whether they should take on the Emei team.
The appearance of the three actors offers a nostalgic moment for fans of Stephen Chow’s classic films. The scene brings Chow, Chan Kwok Kwan, and Lam Tze Chung together again after their connection to the story of Shaolin Soccer.
A seemingly empty seat can also be seen next to Stephen Chow. Many viewers have interpreted the empty seat as an easter egg paying tribute to Ng Man Tat.
In Shaolin Soccer, Ng Man Tat played Golden Leg Fung, a former soccer player who became Sing’s mentor and helped him put together the Shaolin soccer team. Fung played an important role in bringing Sing together with the other team members and encouraging them to pursue their dreams in soccer again. Because of this, many fans believe the empty seat could symbolize a tribute to Golden Leg Fung while also honoring Ng Man Tat’s importance to the film.
Stephen Chow and Ng Man Tat were one of the most iconic duos in Hong Kong cinema. The two appeared together in several classic films, including Fight Back to School, Hail the Judge, and Shaolin Soccer. Their chemistry made them one of the most memorable acting partnerships in Hong Kong film history.
Shaolin Soccer, released in 2001, marked their final film together. When Stephen Chow worked on Kung Fu Hustle in 2004, rumors circulated that he had prepared an important role for Ng Man Tat. The actor was even reported to have cleared his schedule and turned down other projects while waiting for the film.
However, the collaboration never happened. Ng Man Tat later revealed that an important character had indeed been planned for him, but the project ultimately fell through. He was reportedly left with losses of nearly HK$1 million, or around $128,000, after turning down other projects. The incident later fueled speculation that the relationship between the two had become strained.
Ng Man Tat, however, denied that he and Stephen Chow were enemies. He explained that although their relationship was no longer the same as it had been in the past, it was not because of a personal conflict. According to him, the change came naturally as their lives, positions, and ways of thinking evolved over the years.
Ng Man Tat also revealed that Stephen Chow had invited him to work together again on The Mermaid (2016), but he had to turn down the offer because of his health condition. He even said that as long as they were both alive and Stephen Chow had not retired, there could still be a chance for them to work together again.
That hope ultimately never became reality. Ng Man Tat died of liver cancer in 2021. Stephen Chow was known to have attended the actor’s private memorial ceremony. Because of this, many fans see the easter egg in the Kung Fu Soccer post-credits scene as a subtle way for Chow to remember his longtime screen partner.
Stephen Chow has recently been promoting Kung Fu Soccer with Zhang Xiaofei and Dilraba Dilmurat. During one promotional event, he admitted that he often still feels he is not good enough and worries about disappointing the fans who continue to support his work.
Editor’s Note: On October 6, this article was revised to correct an earlier inaccurate description of the Kung Fu Soccer post-credits scene. The film has only one post-credits scene, featuring three Shaolin Soccer actors: Stephen Chow, Chan Kwok Kwan as the Fourth Senior Disciple and goalkeeper, and Lam Tze Chung as the Sixth Junior Disciple. The three are shown sitting in the audience. In the scene, Stephen Chow’s character is the one who asks whether they should play against the Emei team.
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